Sophia had told me Jillian had a nasty, very public breakup with her boyfriend at the marina fundraising event Royce and I had missed. I had the sneaking suspicion Vance had played a part in it. His guiding hand had orchestrated the thing somehow to make sure she would be single.
Because his father wanted Jillian with Vance, and the Hales always got what they wanted.
“Thank you for joining us this evening,” Macalister said to her.
Her voice quavered. “Thanks for having me.”
“How is the training going? Are you prepared for the race?”
She glanced at the man seated next to her like she needed his approval.
“Yeah, we’re ready,” Vance said.
Macalister was irritated his son had spoken in her place. He refocused on Jillian. “Does your father think you have a good chance at winning?”
She nodded. “We’re all hopeful.”
Macalister eked out half of a pained smile. Her answer lacked the kind of confidence he demanded from both his family and his employees. He couldn’t say anything, though. She was his link to her father, who was Macalister’s link to the president, and he wasn’t going to risk falling out of Wayne Lambert’s good graces.
“Vance has been so helpful,” she added. Her amused gaze darted to him. “Always telling us what to do and stuff.”
I snorted. “What did you expect? He’s a Hale.”
Oh, my God. What the fuck did I just say?
Every pair of eyes at the table turned to me, and the room went so quiet no one was breathing. I was Medusa again. Everyone had turned to stone.
“Yeah,” Royce said finally. “You’d better watch out or he’ll make himself captain.” His teasing tone released the tension and let the air back into the room, and I was so grateful. I flashed him an appreciative look.
“Vance doesn’t want that,” Macalister said. “I’m sure your father is an excellent captain.” His voice was cool and pointed. A warning to Vance to stay in line.
A tight smile pressed on Alice’s lips. “May I shift topics for a moment?”
Her husband nodded. “Yes.”
“The masquerade masks for the gala,” she said. “I keep thinking it would be better if we had a consistent look for the family. It’s the Hale Banking and Holding Company, and we’ll want a picture of all the Hales represented.”
Disinterest colored his expression. “What did you have in mind?”
“I was thinking black and white? Or everyone in gold?” She pursed her lips, unhappy with the answers she was giving. “I’m still working up ideas.”
“How about the Greek myths?” Royce said.
“What?” Alice and I asked at the same time.
He tossed up a hand like he was literally throwing the idea out onto the table. “Marist has all these books about the myths, and some of them are—”
“We’re not Greek,” Macalister said.
My fiancé wasn’t fazed. “I think it could be something different and unique. That’s what Alice said we needed, right?” He shrugged as if he didn’t care either way. “I don’t know, I kind of like the idea of being a god.”
Alice tilted her head as she considered his statement, before her gaze latched onto me. “This was the stuff you used to post on social media.”
“Yeah,” I said.
Macalister peered at his wife. “I worry the whole evening lacks sophistication, but the masquerade is your concept. I leave the smaller decisions to you.”
In Macalister-speak, that meant he was giving up control because he thought it wasn’t worth his time. Costumes were beneath him.
Alice wasn’t sold, but not ready to dismiss Royce’s idea either. “Maybe Marist and I could pull some pictures together.”
Outwardly, I nodded and looked enthusiastic to help. On the inside, I wanted to slump my shoulders and scowl. Was this another part of me the Hales would modify and skew to fit their brand?
“You’re going to a masquerade party?” Jillian asked. “That sounds fun.”
Macalister’s glare carried the heat of a thousand suns, and it was shocking that Vance didn’t burst into flames. He obviously hadn’t asked her to be his date yet, but he rolled right into an easy smile. “It will be fun, and you can come.” His eyes sparkled with charm. “I’ll even let you be my date.”
“Oh.” She laughed nervously. “That’s okay. We’re just friends.”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Well, friend, I need a date.”
Jillian’s hesitant gaze darted around the table, searching for help, but she didn’t find any. Her shoulders tightened as her chin dropped toward her chest. “I just got out of something serious.”
Vance’s expression darkened. “Yeah, with a serious douchebag. Screw that guy. Show up on my arm, and he’ll see how much you’ve traded up.”
She looked torn. The idea had appeal, but her gaze flicked over to Royce for a second. Was she thinking about how awkward it’d be since she’d slept with Vance’s older brother?
I couldn’t picture them together. Jillian was pretty, and she’d been popular enough in school, but they had nothing in common. It had probably been a one-night stand, and he’d been his fake persona with her. Playing his role as the cocky bastard who made all the girls swoon. She hadn’t seen the other side of himself that he’d shown only to me.